Ranking The Degrassi: Next Class Characters From Worst To First

People like to give all the credit to programs like Dr. Who and The Simpsons when it comes to long-lasting TV shows. It's rude because Degrassihas been around for almost four decades now. Yup, in 1979, Kit Hood and Linda Schuyler credited the first incarnation of the show. Since then we've met a wide — and we mean wide — an array of characters over the years.

Of course, there is the first crop that started it all. Then there was Degrassi: The Next Generation that housed Drake aka Jimmy Brooks. Now we have Degrassi: Next Class. Which is what we're talking about today. It'd take a scholar to rank the hundreds of characters who've made Degrassi what it is today (though quite honestly, we might not be opposed). Today, however, We're going to focus on ranking the ones that make us still watch Degrassi: Next Class over on Netflix.

So here they are the characters of Degrassi: Next Class ranked from worst to first. Where did your favorite land?

20. Maya Matlin

Netflix

Words cannot express how annoying one thinks Maya Matlin is. Yes, she's been through a lot in comparison to a lot of other students at Degrassi, but...she kind of always makes it all about her. Cam was the one who died and she made it about her. Tristen was the one who was left in a coma. Again, about her. We get she has seen the bottom of the barrel via the people around her, but she can be a bit much.

19. Esme Song

Netflix

Thinking back, there has not been a character quite like Esme. And we mean one who is literally insane. From her freak out in the woods to showing up at prom... we just can't with this one. We wanted homegirl to get help the second she walked into Zig's eyeline but alas...

18. Jonah Haak

Netflix

Can you all say "basic?" Jonah has been around for awhile but at the same time, hasn't. Does that make sense? He's kind of just this background character who pops up when they ran out of characters for the scene. We learned he had a son... then NOTHING?! Literally, the only interesting things that happen to him are resolved in like, .05 seconds. So what's the point of even having him roam around Degrassi High?

17. Vijay Maraj

Netflix

Who? Exactly. I watch this show like it's my job and even I was like... umm, oh yeah! One of the younger kids on the show, Vijay ranks higher than the last few only because he is less than basic and not an annoyance. Just kind of... there.

16. Baaz Nahir

Netflix

Like Vijay, we had to ask, "Who Dat?" Considring he's in Grade 12, it's pretty shocking we have no idea basically who he is. He's like a henchman in a gaggle of nerds whose yet to make a lasting mark on the halls of Degrassi. Fun fact: this character's name was originally 'Dino' while actors were auditioning and he was supposed to be of Greek descent. The character changed when they cast Amir Bageria in the role. That's kind of cool, we guess.

15. Saad Al'Maliki

Netflix

We are still getting to know the latest member of the Degrassi family. So that's why we have to place him right here. While he made a HUGE impact, we still have a lot to learn. So, don't get us wrong, there's a good chance his placement will go up (or down) once his character really starts thriving in the Canadian high school.

14. Tiny Bell

Netflix

If there was an award for "Best Friend Ever at Degrassi" it would go to Tiny. It's not easy when Zig is your bestie, but he manages to make it work. A true gentleman, too. We really would've loved Degrassi to make him more of a lead, but because he doesn't get much airtime, we couldn't put him much higher on the list. All love, though.

13. Hunter Hollingsworth

Netflix

Out of all of the Hollingsworths, Hunter is the one we could do without. We know that he's got his issues, but at the same time, he has yet to learn how to really care for those around him. How he reacted to Yael's news about her not feeling like a girl or a boy was just straight up rude and we're not here for it. We have a feeling that he'll do what many Degrassi men have done before: start out as a bit of a jerk but grow into himself and he deals with his probz.

12. Shay Powers

Netflix

There is something so innocent and naive about Shay Powers that makes us love her. It's hard to get mad at a girl as sweet as her. Well, minus that one time she stole from her girl's restaurant and got someone else fired for it. One bad note on her rep though. Everybody makes mistakes! We've forgiven her.

11. Winston Chu

Netflix

If Shay was the sweetest kid to ever walk up those front steps of Degrassi, then Winston Chu is a close second. Frankie really let a good guy go when she dumped him for basic AF Jonah. Oh well, her loss and some other girl's gain.

10. Rasha Zuabi

Netflix

It didn't take long for this Syrian refugee to win us over. A ballsy lesbian who isn't afraid to be who she is and say what's on her mind... you go, girl! She was a breath of much-needed air when she stepped into the picture recently and we hope her character just keeps killing it.

9. Grace Cardinal

Netflix

We were ready to write Grace off when we first met her in the Rubber Room alongside the other outsiders who were cast away. Then her story took quite the turn. We learned she had cystic fibrosis. In classic Degrassi fashion, that revelation led to huge growth for her character and made fans want more of Grace.

8. Goldi Nahir

Netflix

Had we been talking about this ranking a year or so ago, Goldi would've been further away from the top because she was just some bossy kid. Now? Now she's more well-rounded in the grand scheme of things. We've seen her come a long way. From accepting her lesbian friend to dating someone outside her religion, then facing racism at its worst, we're rooting for her alright. One of the best Degrassi characters to come about in a long time.

7. Frankie Hollingsworth

Netflix

When it comes to representing a true teenager, Frankie Hollingsworth is the closest this show comes to it. She's erratic, yearns to be seen, and doesn't really know who she is quite yet. There's beauty in the hot mess that is Frankie Hollingsworth. Plus, when someone's so damn relatable, how can you bash them on a ranked listicle? It would just be rude.

6. Zig Novak

Netflix

First off, talk about a glow up. Zig definitely blossomed best, but overall he's been a mess throughout his Degrassi run. It seems like he is always making the absolute worst choices. With age comes wisdom, though, and Zig is proof. It's been a rough road, but he's come to learn who and what he needs in his life for it to be sane. Again, it's about how damn true this character is to the actual high school experience that makes him rank so high.

5. Yael Baron

Netflix

Some time ago, Yael was just the girl in the group of anime kids with vibrant red hair and not much personality. Now she's representing a first for the franchise as the premiere genderfluid character on the show. We wish it took her more than an afternoon and a makeover to get to the point, but overall it was something new to learn about from the show.

4. Tristan Milligan

Netflix

Degrassi has always been about showcasing teens from every walk of life and Tristan Milligan was just one of many LGBTQ characters to enroll at Degrassi. Part of the fabric that makes Degrassi unique, Tristan became a fan favorite constantly standing up for himself and others like him. Plus, his relationship with Miles Hollingsworth and his near-death experience put our fascination with him over the top.

3. Miles Hollingsworth

Netflix

At first, Miles was just a spoiled brat we could've let go of for just about anyone else. Now? Oh, noooo. This show would be far less interesting without his presence. It's not even his sexuality that makes him a notable character in the history of this show, it's his overall essence. The abuse from his father, his struggle with addiction, the pressure of failure... my god. Every little thing that comes his way adds another layer we cannot wait to peel back. Plus, we really want to give him a good hug.

2. Zoe Rivas

Netflix

When Zoe first appeared, we all wished she'd head back to wherever the F she came from. Over the years, however, we've come to be absolutely obsessed with her. Figuring out her sexuality and risking her family to be herself? Now that was a storyline that still breaks hearts no matter what year it is. She's one of the bravest Degrassi has ever seen... attitude and all.

1. Lola Pacini

Netflix

In a time where people want to tell women what they can and cannot do with their bodies, Lola took it upon herself to go and get an abortion. She also decided that it was her story to keep to herself. We respect that, just like we respect and love that she's always the voice of reason. Which is ironic because she can come across as sort of ditzy at times. Really though, she may be the smartest, sweetest part of the Next Class and we're not sure we'd still be watching without her.